Horizon before dawn

Thank you for the Power Stones 

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After three months of rigorous training to take down the Carja, some of us were finally ready to make a move. I assigned Kiri, Cam, and four other Nora to one squad, which I would command. Meanwhile, Orlok, Web, and the rest formed the second squad, under Albedo's command.

The Utaru, whose skills were still lacking, were to remain at the base, alongside two other Nora who would guard it. The preparation was nearly complete, and the tension was palpable as we prepared for what lay ahead. 

"Alright, people, this is it. Our revenge starts now." I said, my voice steady but filled with intensity. "So focus, and pay attention. Follow our orders, or I'll spear you myself." I spoke with a no-nonsense tone, my eyes scanning the group. Every face was determined, but I could see the weight of the mission on them.

"We've trained for this. No hesitation, no mistakes. The Carja won't know what hit them." My words cut through the tension like a blade. "Move out."

Albedo's squad was tasked with infiltrating a small Carja outpost to steal much needed supplies. The operation was meant to be a quiet strike under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, my squad would patrol the area, hunting down as many Carja as we could. 

The Nora we had trained were still raw hunters of machines, gatherers of food, but killing another human was something entirely new to them. They were eager, but their hesitation was palpable. They had to bleed their spears, to face the true weight of battle. I could see it in their eyes, a mix of fear and determination. They'd come a long way, but this was their test and I wouldn't let them falter.

"Stick together, stay sharp." I said, glancing at each one of them. "We'll make it through this, but only if we remember who we are. Our ancestors didn't shy away from battle. Neither should we."

Albedo, Orlok, and their squad approached the Carja outpost with a grim determination. They had trained for this, but nothing could fully prepare them for the brutality of what was to come.

Albedo, as always, led the strategy, guiding the squad to the most vulnerable points of the outpost. she kept the squad in line, her presence a beacon of leadership. The Nora under her command moved with purpose, despite their nerves, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

Web the smallest one however, had been given the most dangerous task, to sneak through the rear and disable the Carja's alarm. 

The strike began swiftly. Orlok and Albedo led the charge, taking down guards with cold efficiency, while the rest of the squad swept in to secure the area. But Web, deep inside the outpost, was cornered. A Carja sentry had spotted him, and before he could react, he was struck down, the blade of a Carja soldier grazing his side. He staggered, the blood seeping from the wound, but he fought on, taking down the sentry in a final desperate move.

The sound of the skirmish echoed through the outpost, and Albedo immediately reacted, sending the squad to Web's aid. She and Orlok reached him just in time, pulling him to safety before he could succumb to his injuries. The squad worked quickly, patching up Web's wound with makeshift bandages, but the damage was done. His breathing was shallow, and his face pale with pain.

Despite the setback, the mission didn't falter. The Carja were quickly overwhelmed, and the supplies were secured. Albedo's leadership never wavered, and Orlok's tactical mind and bloody spear ensured the operation continued smoothly.

Once the outpost had been thoroughly cleared, the squad retreated, carrying Web between them. His injuries were grave, but he was alive, and that was enough for now. 

Albedo, Orlok, and the squad carried the supplies back to base, their steps slow and deliberate to leave no tracks behind. Web's life had almost been claimed, but his survival meant something more, a reminder of the dangers they faced, and the sacrifices they would need to make if they were to see their revenge through.

Meanwhile, my squad were engaged in a fierce battle of our own. A small group of Carja soldiers, drawn by the noise of the attack on the outpost, had begun to move in.

I the sharpshooter, immediately took position, my bow nocking an explosive arrow as i scanned the trees for movement. Kiri, fast and precise, led the charge, her spear slicing through the air as she engaged the first of the soldiers. The rest of the squad followed, weapons raised, determination in their eyes. Though still new to human combat, the Nora fought with the same intensity they'd shown in their training, fierce, relentless, and without mercy.

The Carja soldiers, startled by the sudden assault, struggled to organize themselves. My arrows found their marks, exploding soldiers heads before they even had a chance to retaliate. Kiri moved like a whirlwind, cutting through the enemy lines with ruthless efficiency. The others, though inexperienced, fought with a primal instinct, using their training and teamwork to hold their own against the Carja's disciplined tactics.

Despite the Carja's attempts to regroup, the Nora's ferocity was overwhelming. The battle quickly became one-sided as the soldiers fell one by one, unable to match the speed and coordination of my squad. There were a few close calls, with the Carja getting in a few strikes here and there, but the squad was unyielding. Kiri, in particular, moved with a dangerous grace, her spear a blur as she disarmed and incapacitated anyone who came too close.

As the last of the Carja soldiers were taken down, the squad took a moment to breathe. Their bodies were bloodied and bruised, but they had held their ground. The outpost was safe from reinforcements, and the threat had been neutralized. 

I scanned the area, ensuring no more soldiers were on the way, while Kiri checked on the others, making sure everyone was accounted for. The squad had faced their first real test, and though they were still rough around the edges, they had passed. The mission was far from over, but the battle for this small piece of ground had been won.

With the immediate threat dealt with, I gave the signal to regroup. The squad, though exhausted, was ready for the next phase of the operation, they had proven themselves in battle, and the momentum was now in their favor. 

Back at base, the mood was a mix of exhaustion and quiet pride. Albedo, Orlok, and her squad arrived first, having successfully secured the supplies from the outpost. Web, though wounded, was still alive, his injuries severe but not fatal.

As they gathered around, I arrived with Kiri and my squad, their faces flushed with the intensity of battle, weapons still bloodied from the fight. 

Albedo was the first to speak, her voice steady despite the battle's toll. "The outpost is gone. We've got the supplies we needed. Web's hurt, but he'll make it." She glanced over at him, still lying on a bed, and then turned her attention back to the group. "We faced little resistance, but the Carja were organized, It's only a matter of time before they find us. We need to move quickly."

Orlok nodded in agreement, his tactical mind already shifting to the next phase. "The reinforcements you took care of were key. Without them, the Carja will be scrambling to reestablish control. We've gained some time." He paused, his eyes scanning the squad, noting the bloodied weapons and the weariness on their faces. "But we can't afford to waste it. We need to leave before they have a chance to fully recover."

Kiri spoke up, her voice firm despite the exhaustion. "The soldiers we fought were poorly coordinated. They didn't expect us to hit so hard. But they'll be better prepared next time."

I nodded, taking a deep breath before addressing the group. "Everyone did their part. We've secured the supplies, neutralized the immediate threat, and bought ourselves some time. But this is just the beginning we need to be ready for whatever comes next."

There was a quiet agreement from the group. Despite the toll the battle had taken, there was a shared sense of resolve. This wasn't just about supplies or territory, it was about survival, about striking back against the Carja who had taken so much from us.

"Rest up," I said, my voice low but steady. "We move out at dawn to Hollow Fort . The war isn't over yet."

Time to really build my kingdom.

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For every 25 power stones a extra chapter.